On St. Nicholas Day, December 6th, the youngsters are visited by Santa Claus (Sw. Mikolaj). In Poland, Sw. Mikolaj is not an oversized man with red pompom topped cap, red Jacket, and riding boots. Instead, he is a saintly, more dignified figure, dressed in the regal purple and gold robe, wearing a cape and bishops hat, and carrying a crosier (a crooked staff, the symbol of his bishop station). He travels the countryside on foot, occasionally astride a white horse, blessing the children, and distributing goodies to well behaved children and swishes to the naughty. Sw. Mikolaj does not live at the North Pole, but up in Heaven.
December sixth, St. Nicholas day — Dzien Swietego Mikołaja — brought a slight reprieve to gray monotonous days, especially to children, who felt that the Christmas Gwiazdka (star) - would never come. St. Nicholas was revered because of his compassion and love for orphans whom he often visited and comforted with little gifts. His name is celebrated more in some Central European countries than in Christmas itself.
My little baby girl Iza got goodies too in which we told her from Santa. She loves the red socks that was hanged with goodies inside. For sure, she will look forward to this day especially now that she is growing.
